Any thoughts on this for $899 AR: Compaq Presario Notebook with Mobile AMD Athlon? XP-M Processor 2800+ Model: 2108US

[rhuss]

Compaq Presario Notebook with Mobile AMD Athlon? XP-M Processor 2800+ Model: 2108US

15" XGA TFT display with 1024 x 768 resolution
40.0GB EIDE hard drive (4200 rpm)
ATI Mobility RADEON 4X AGP 3D graphics with 64MB DDR shared video memory; S-video TV-out
Integrated 54g high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g); 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; V.90/V.92 high-speed modem
Weighs 7.3 lbs. and measures 1.6" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter

any thoughts on the graphics? there will not be serious gaming but probably some games. also is there a way to hook up external speakers instead of using the built in speakers?

Link to Best Buy

 

[jvarszegi]

Seems really over-priced to me. Note the shared-memory graphics-- the chip isn't even mentioned, although I didn't dig for the full specs of the model. The 15" XGA screen isn't top-notch.

Edit: I misread your post! I thought it cost $2108 US. For $899, it's great! Not a bad deal at all.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

That's the IGP320 chipset. Ass-poor performance compared to the mature VIA/nVidia SocketAs, and the graphics are a Radeon 7000, essentially.

- M4H

 

[rhuss]

but for that price range is it good? really looking to spend under $1000.

 

[gujuguy007]

you could get the r3000z base model for $799, which is highly raved by pcworld, or configure it for more plus get a backpack for $1 more. (weighs about 8lbs +/- 1lb based on configs.

Compaq R3000z

 

[fbrdphreak]

The Compaq R3000Z is a better computer configured pretty much the same as the 2108. It does cost more, about $1000 w/40GB, 15.4", 2800+, GF4, & 1x512MB. You could save $75 by going to 15" and 2x256MB, but its worth $75 to me. So, it depends on your funds really. Both are around same price before rebate, but the 2108 is cheaper after. If I had to pick, I would get the R3000Z with the options I already mentioned (and maybe higher res screen). But the 2108 is an awesome price and you get it TODAY, whereas w/the 3000Z you have to wait a couple weeks for customer order.
As a side note: whatever you do; get the extended warranty. Basic manufacturer warranty sucks. Even HP/Compaq's extended warranties aren't great. Read the fine print: they only replace one of each major component during the extended warranty period. The plus is that they offer accidental damager coverage. I'm assuming you're looking at the 2108 from BBY. BBY's plan covers everything except software issues & "abuse" or accidental damage. The cool thing is they ship you a new battery when your old one starts to degrade in performance. They technically limit it to one per year, but I think you can get around that (not to mention you keep your existing batt(s)). You can custom order a 3000Z from BBY, but usually they charge more, so here is what I would do: go in and price out your 3000Z. Bring a print-out of a 3000Z price from HP. Tell them you want the service plan and that computer for HP's price (assuming its lower) and they should match it for you. That's the best way to go with the 3000Z IMO. Otherwise get the 2108 and deal with a relatively crappy screen. Otherwise that notebook is hot. My gf has the old version of it (HP ze4325) and her roommate is about to get the 2108. The ze4325 has an AXP 2000+ and we upped it to 512MB, and that thing is really quick in Windows for your basic use. Graphics card sucks of course, but if you don't play games it doesn't matter.
If you have any other questions abou them, feel free to PM me. I sell these computers on a daily basis, so I'm pretty familiar with them.

 

[rhuss]

i guess it would be best if i clarified what i am looking for. this is for my brother who is not a computer guru, avg windows, internet user, not many games, if any

sub $1000 laptop
512 MB RAM
would like to go with AMD
nice screen
easy to use, don't need a lot of softare pre-installed
good warranty
wired LAN and wireless if possible (for future use)
good battery life
weight is not a factor

i have been looking at the weekly ads every now and then and saw the compaq i posted above. have also seen averatec's which look pretty decent. any recommendations would be great. i'll be looking at the R3000z in a little bit more detail now. thanks.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: rhuss
i guess it would be best if i clarified what i am looking for. this is for my brother who is not a computer guru, avg windows, internet user, not many games, if any

sub $1000 laptop
512 MB RAM
would like to go with AMD
nice screen
easy to use, don't need a lot of softare pre-installed
good warranty
wired LAN and wireless if possible (for future use)
good battery life
weight is not a factor

i have been looking at the weekly ads every now and then and saw the compaq i posted above. have also seen averatec's which look pretty decent. any recommendations would be great. i'll be looking at the R3000z in a little bit more detail now. thanks.

The R3000z would fit your description. Only major con is the laptop is rather heavy. Battery life is about slightly above average for a laptop these days (3 hours of normal use).

 

[crimson117]

The R3000Z is a little heavy... but if you're willing to put up with a little weight, you get SO many features on that model for such a good price...

Compaq Presario R3000Z series customize notebook
- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
- AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3200+ 2.00 GHz
- 15.4" WVA WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
- 64MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 440 Go +1394 & 5-in-1
- 512MB DDR SDRAM (1x512MB)
- 60GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
- DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
- 54g(TM) Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- HP Sport Backpack

What do you think this costs?

$1380!!!!!!! Shipped!!!!!!!

Add a 3 year warranty with accidental coverage for $300, and for just under $1700 your bro will have one sweet laptop

You can cut this down to about $1080 (300 less) with slightly lesser features, but still have a powerful laptop (again, add $300 for the strong warranty):

- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
- AMD Athlon(TM) XP-M 2800+ (1.60 GHz/128K L2 cache)
- 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
- 32MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 420 Go
- 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
- 30 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
- DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
- 54g(TM) Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN !!
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- HP Sport Backpack

 

[rhuss]

definatly need to keep it under $1000

 

[beyoku]

make him chip in an extra 200 and get the emachine.

 

[rhuss]

Originally posted by: beyoku
make him chip in an extra 200 and get the emachine.

which emachine?

 

[rhuss]

what about the following config for about $900 After Rebate?

Base System HP Pavilion zv5000z w/AMD® Athlon® processor
Processor AMD Athlon(TM) XP-M 2800+ (1.60 GHz)
Notebook Display 15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768)
Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home
Hard Drive 30 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
CD/DVD Drive DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Video Card 64MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 440 Go +1394 & 5-in-1
Modem/PC Card 54g(TM) Integrated Broadcom 802.11b/g Wireless LAN

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: rhuss

Originally posted by: beyoku<BR>make him chip in an extra 200 and get the emachine.

which emachine?

Probably the M6810. I have an M6805 (slower CPU, smaller hard drive) and love it.

 

[dennisjai215]

Originally posted by: rhuss
Compaq Presario Notebook with Mobile AMD Athlon? XP-M Processor 2800+ Model: 2108US <BR><BR>15" XGA TFT display with 1024 x 768 resolution <BR>40.0GB EIDE hard drive (4200 rpm) <BR>ATI Mobility RADEON 4X AGP 3D graphics with 64MB DDR shared video memory; S-video TV-out <BR>Integrated 54g high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g); 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; V.90/V.92 high-speed modem <BR>Weighs 7.3 lbs. and measures 1.6" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter <BR><BR>any thoughts on the graphics? there will not be serious gaming but probably some games. also is there a way to hook up external speakers instead of using the built in speakers?<BR><BR>Link to Best Buy

this notebook usually drops to 600-700 AR most of the times

 

[rhuss]

just an FYI my bro bought the laptop on sale for labor day in the new circuit city add. was $699 AR. thanks for the help.

linky